Spotify wants to have more video content, and it could start streaming live concert footage soon but my scepticism is telling me that YouTube still has the upper hand

Date:
Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:43:03 +0000

Description:
Spotify is looking to expand its video content, and now it wants to start broadcasting live concerts.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Spotify is eyeing up live concert streaming It's part of the company's strategy to shift more into
video content YouTube is still leading on the livestream front, and I think it'll be tough competition Spotify is doing all it can to move beyond being just an audio platform now it wants to offer live concert videos for subscribers, and Im not sure how to feel about it.

According to Bloomberg , the audio streaming giant has plans in the works to become a hub for live music, and has reached out to concert promoters to secure licensing rights to broadcast live videos of music festivals right
from the Spotify app. Spotify has recently been experimenting with concert videos, adding a slew of pre-recorded music videos from Dua Lipas show in Mexico City, accompanying a live album released by the artist. Additionally, Primavera Sound festival took place in Barcelona over the weekend, which has gained substantial popularity and following online over the recent years so it makes sense as to why Spotify would want to capitalize on this. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

The move into live concert broadcasting reflects Spotifys evolving plans to become a pipeline between artists and their most dedicated fans. A few weeks ago Spotify unveiled its new in-app tool Reserved , a concert
ticket-reserving tool that aims to give legitimate fans top priority for securing tickets to their favorite musicians live shows. On the other hand, the move into live concert streaming plays into Spotifys wider video monetization strategy.

Spotify first started out as an audio-only service, but over its 20-year lifespan its rolled out many visual components from short-form content feeds to music videos, and even video podcasts. Not only have these helped increase subscriber engagement levels, its also established a more profitable means of ad revenue that Spotify doesnt quite get through its audio content and this
is reflected in the companys recent quarterly earnings, as Bloomberg highlights. You may like Spotify's new 'Reserved' system gives top fans priority access to concert tickets Spotify marks 20 years with plans for new creative formats and AI strategy These are the areas I think Spotify should start investing in to improve its experience

In the first quarter of the year Spotifys total advertising revenue saw a
drop The Next Web reports that it fell 5% year on year to 385 million (roughly $443 million) therefore adding more video content means higher advertising rates and a better chance at boosting this profit.

That said, some see Spotifys venture into live concert broadcasting as just another means of reducing artists streaming revenue but thats not the first concern that crossed my mind. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in
your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. YouTube, always and forever Spotifys video offerings arent
my favorite ways to engage with music. Compared to Apple Music , I find Spotifys music videos interface to be unorganized and almost forced upon you while listening to audio (I never use the Switch to video button).

Ive said it before and I shall say it again, YouTube is still the holy grail of visual music content, even if Spotify is still doing all it can to
compete. You have to give it to Spotify though, its drive is undeniably admirable, but competing with YouTube is like attempting to shade the sun.

In addition to its slew of pre-recorded live music channels (I watch a lot of NPR Tiny Desk Concerts as well as artist music videos) YouTube plays a huge part in bringing fans closer to the biggest music events across the world. This is most notably the case for the Coachella music festival in California, which Ive been streaming via YouTube since I was 17. What to read next
Spotify is working on a smart glasses app, and it could include on-screen lyrics Spotify begins global rollout of new video controls Vocana President Neil Sheehan discusses the platform's independent-only streaming model

Spotify has a lot to think about, and for its live concert broadcasts to
stand out it needs to match, or totally defy what YouTube has. As well as this, theres also the question regarding where in the app these broadcasts will be situated the app is already bulky as it is, so an entirely new live stream interface would be a bit of a squeeze.

With that being said, I can see the minor user benefits. Depending on which artists sign on to this agreement, it could give music fans a higher quality, more robust way of consuming live concert content as opposed to relying on watching videos posted to TikTok or Instagram reels.

Right now, my feed is inundated with content from Ariana Grandes Eternal Sunshine tour which kicked off over the weekend, and its making me regret not going for tickets. I have no issues with watching clipped videos on social media, but thinking about it now, having an accessible live stream of the
show from start to finish would make good background viewing/ listening. But lets be real, Netflix works an awful lot faster to sign deals with artists
for live concert movies, and thats essentially the same thing. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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